There are a few options for boots. Firstly, you can use mountaineering or at boots and use a step in type binding with your splitboard. This gives good climbing and pretty good riding, though not the same as a soft boot, less surfy. Secondly, you can buy snowboard boots and have them resoled with vibram soles and toe and heel welts. This is an awesome option but costs a fair amount. You could buy some cheap singles to climb in that are light weight and get some nice lightweight snowboard boots and use them both on trips where both types will be needed. Also, you can make do with snowboard boots and strap on crampons up almost any snow slope that you'll wanna go down.

i use a combination of snowboard and mountaineering boots depending on conditions. have ridden in ICE 9000s and currently ride in Spantiks. had a pair of Grivel G10 wides that fit my snowboard boots, but finally sold them as i only ride those boots on guaranteed blower days

one can skin up relatively steep stuff depending on conditions, but you have to have your technique dialed in many instances

Vitaliy M wrote:Do you guys think buying burton omen 2003, 170 (size) in mint condition, with skins and crampons for 350$ is a good deal?

Yes that sounds like a good deal. Maje sure that it has the Voile Interface and not the older Burton interface. I have a burton split with old interface that I have converted to the Voile Interface.

And like someone else suggested, get the MTN plates and AT boots. That's what I also run, and really it's the best option as far as boots/crampons go. Also, you loose a bunch of weight from the board because the plates are so much lighter.

If you need more info, post away. I too have been splitboarding for the last 7-8 years, and have a ton of knowledge.

You happen to have those old Burton interfaces lying around from your Voile conversion? I have an old Burton and just busted one of the old interfaces and would love to buy one from you if you still have them.

You happen to have those old Burton interfaces lying around from your Voile conversion? I have an old Burton and just busted one of the old interfaces and would love to buy one from you if you still have them.

Thanks!

I do still have the interfaces, but they are a bit worn. What parts are you looking for?

But, I do have to say, consider doing the conversion to the Voile Interface. It's not hard to do, and you can use some of the original inserts. You do have to drill some holes and such, but I found it pretty easy to do, if you're mechanically inclined. The voile interface also shave off almost a pound from my system (with MTN Plates, since I ride in AT boots.) so you might think about that before buying old interface hardware that kind of sucks compared to the Voile set up.

If you want to ride big, cold mountains, AT boots/plate bindings are the way to go, bar non. (Don't agree? Well, what happens when yo plastic shiyat cracks at -20C). But, hardboots are a bit different to ride in, so practice is necessary. My first hardboot snowboard descent was North Peak's right couloir, wheee! But then I skied the left one a few minutes later so it balanced out. You can pull off amazing moves in snowboard boots with strap crampons if you have technique. Anyone who argues this needs to spend more time in the hills refining their technique. Sorry. And name me one classic descent requiring more than M3/WI3...(when its ski/rideable, e.g. North Peak Left difference from alpine condition to spring) Don't let this deter you from softboots at least until it needs to.

For the 170 being a good idea, a bit of info is necessary:What is your height/weight?What are your favorite lines at Squaw Valley?

Learning to ski will help your snowboarding. Learning to snowboard will help your skiing. Just another discipline of las montanas!

Finally, you will have a lot of fun dragging knuckles in beautiful places! Just remember to ollie when you approach others and ALWAYS kick out your methods.